Senate GOP Fine Tunes Team Roster as 2016 Session Kicks-Off

Senate Republicans announced a number of important changes to their team roster as the 2016 legislative session kicks-off, filling one vacant seat and fine-tuning committee assignments with an eye toward fielding the strongest team possible.

Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel (R-Parker) appointed Senator Chris Holbert (R-Parker) to serve as Chair the Senate Business Labor and Technology Committee. The committee’s new Vice Chair will be Senator Laura Woods (R-Arvada). Both lawmakers have distinguished themselves as champions of improving Colorado’s business climate.

"I am looking forward to bringing my 20-plus years of experience as a small business owner to this exciting new role," stated Woods. "It is an honor to serve in this new capacity and I look forward to working with all the members of this committee as we work towards advancing Colorado’s business climate."

The SBLTC meets under new leadership for the first time today.

Another important committee move was the naming of Senator Larry Crowder (R-Alamosa) as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, an ideal slot for this recognized leader on veterans' affairs and rural healthcare.

Crowder authored the very first bill of the 2016 legislative session, SB-001, which aims at eliminating current caps on how much military retirees are able to deduct from federal taxable income. "I believe this bill will benefit our military retirees immensely," said Crowder, who has earned high marks for his support for veterans at the Capitol. "It is a small token that our state can give back for their years of service."

Filling a vacancy in the 27th district is the newest senator, Jack Tate, who formerly represented the 37th District in the House. "Experience in the House and an extensive background in business and engineering, along with the high marks he receives from Republican colleagues, means that Senator Tate can be an impact player for us right away," said Senate President Bill Cadman following Tate's swearing-in. "We expect him to step right in and play a key role in moving our agenda forward in the 2016 session."

Tate grew up in Nashville but has lived in Centennial for almost 20 years. He attended Duke University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. He continued his education at Vanderbilt University, the University of Missouri and the University of Colorado Denver, completing work for an MBA in Marketing, as well as a Master of Science in Finance. In the House he served on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee and the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.

Tate will serve on the Local Government and Business, Labor and Technology committees.